Our hearts ache for William Picher. Despite his betrayal – first, by a predator priest and later, by that priest’s complicit colleagues – Picher is being denied a right guaranteed to most crime victims: his day in court.

He has done a heroic job of trying to shed light on clergy sex crimes and cover ups by Maine Catholic clerics. His courage and persistence are admirable.

Our hearts also ache for Maine’s children. Hundreds of boys and girl are being sexually assaulted. Few of them can promptly disclose their suffering. Years from now, some of them will seek justice and try to expose the predators that hurt them in childhood. Today’s ruling will make it impossible or harder for most of these victims to take actions to protect others.

Because of archaic child safety laws, Maine has long been one of the most predator-friendly states. Today’s ruling perpetuates this dangerous injustice.